Modelling and Measurement of Flow-Structure Dynamics in the Human Upper Airway

由于人类上呼吸道打呼和阻塞等常见的致残条件而造成的睡眠中断可能会导致慢性疲劳、失去工作和白天嗜睡引起的事故。到目前为止，上呼吸道的行为还没有得到充分的研究，无法揭示这些情况的机械原因。通过开发和使用模拟工具和测量技术来解决这一不足，这些工具和测量技术将阐明流动结构动力学，从而产生新的诊断和改进的治疗方法。模拟治疗对任何人的影响将允许选择它来最大化其对一个问题的疗效，据估计，这个问题每年给国家造成20亿美元的生产力损失。

Sleep disruption due to the common and disabling conditions of snoring and obstruction of the human upper airway can result in chronic fatigue, lost work and accidents caused by daytime drowsiness. To date the behaviour of the upper airway has not been adequately studied in terms able to reveal the mechanical causes of these conditions. This deficiency is addressed through the development and use of simulation tools and measurement techniques that will elucidate the flow-structure dynamics leading to new diagnostic and improved treatment methods. Simulating the effect of treatment on any individual will permit it to be chosen to maximise its efficacy for a problem that costs the nation an estimated $2 Billion per year in lost productivity.